Device for operating venetian blinds by magnetic mechanism

ABSTRACT

A device for operating venetian blinds inside a sealed chamber between two panes of glass has a gearing-down internal mechanism provided for rotating a shaft that supports and operates a blind, and a gearing-up external mechanism applied to one of the glass panes and connected with the gearing-down internal mechanism by a magnetic connection.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns devices for operating blinds. Problems of heatinsulation in buildings is becoming of increasing importanceparticularly because of the rising cost of the types of energyutilizable for heating. Efficient insulation in any case enables a bigreduction to be made in the quantity of energy needed to maintain acomfortable temperature inside the home.

One of the greatest causes of heat loss in a house is represented by itswindow area. Heat dispersed through windows mainly depends on losses byconvection, when air from outside mixes with inside air through badlyfitting window frames, and on losses by conduction when air inside iscooled against glass chilled by low outdoor temperatures. Heatinsulation can be substantially improved by installation of doubleglazing when, because of the air-filled cavity between the two panes,heat loss is greatly lessened. An even more noticeable improvement isobtained by changing from single glazing to double glazing with a vacuumin between.

The presence of blinds, called venetian, greatly complicates the problemas, for reasons of bulk and for a number of advantages, such as therebeing no need for maintenance, protection against dust and grease andagainst possible accidental damage, it is preferable to place the blindinside the cavity formed between two panes of glass. This type of blindcan in fact be worked by devices outside the blind and operated insidethe room.

To assure mechanical connection between the blind and the operatingdevices, the connecting parts must enter the sealed chamber formedbetween the panes of glass.

To keep the cavity sealed elastic packing has to be used in order topermit hermetic closure independently of any movements made byconnecting mechanisms.

Over a period of time this packing wears out and air from outsidepenetrates inside the cavity greatly lessening the advantages associatedwith double glazing. The above invention avoids these drawbacks as willbe explained below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Subject of the invention is a device for working venetian blinds withina sealed chamber comprising two panes of glass, an intermediate frame tosupport said panes, a horizontal shaft to carry and work the blindinside the sealed chamber formed between the panes and a mechanism forrotating said shaft.

The mechanism, now to be referred to as internal, for rotating theshaft, is connected to another mechanism, now to be referred to asexternal, for working the parts outside the sealed chamber by means of amagnetic connection whose lines of force act through one of the glasspanes. The magnetic connection consists of a disc carrying permanentmagnets fixed to one end of a shaft forming part of the internalmechanism for rotating the shaft to work the blind, placed a shortdistance away from the inner face of one pane of glass.

Said disc is opposite to a disc carrying permanent magnets fixed to oneend of a shaft forming part of the external mechanism and placed at ashort distance from the outer face of said pane of glass.

The two shafts, respectively part of the external and internalmechanisms, are coaxial.

The permanent magnets on the discs in the internal and externalmechanisms have different polarities in relation to a diameter.

In the middle of each of said discs in the internal and externalmechanisms is a pin with a rounded end and the two pins make contactwith the opposite surfaces of the glass reacting against reciprocalmagnetic attraction.

The internal mechanism preferably comprises a gearing-down unit formedof a rotor which, by means of pins parallel to its axis and placed atequal radial and angular distances, carries equal satellite pinions thatsimultaneously mesh with a crown gear fixed coaxially to the rotor,included in the body of said mechanism, and with circumferentialtoothing on a small coaxial shaft.

The rotation impressed on said small shaft is therefore transmitted tothe rotor at a divisor ratio corresponding to that between the teeth onthe small shaft and on the crown gear respectively.

Said rotor is connected to the shaft working the blind and thereforetransmits the geared-down movement to said latter shaft.

The external mechanism comprises a gearing-up unit consisting of a rotorwhich, by means of pins parallel to its axis and placed at equal radialand angular distances, carries satellite pinions that meshsimultaneously with a fixed crown gear, coaxial to the rotor, in thebody of said mechanism, and with circumferential toothing on the coaxialshaft of the rotor to which the disc with permanent magnets is fixed.

The rotation impressed upon the rotor is therefore transmitted to saidshaft at a gearing-up ratio corresponding to the ratio between the teethof the fixed crown gear and of the shaft, respectively.

The rotor is connected to a means for working the blind so that, whentransmitted, the action of said operating means has been geared up.

The operating means for the blind is a continuous cord one end of whichpasses round a pulley fixed to and coaxial with the rotor, or said meansis an electric motor or else it is a rod attached at the top by a jointto a small vertical shaft.

Said small shaft is connected by a bevel gear pair to the shaft ontowhich is fixed the disc carrying permanent magnets forming part of theexternal mechanism.

The shaft in the internal mechanism, with its disc carrying permanentmagnets, transmits its action to the shaft working the blind through apair of shaft transmissions at 90° consisting of a worm screw fixed tothe first shaft and a worm gear fixed to the small shaft forming part ofthe gearing-down unit.

The internal mechanism is placed inside a substantially flat bodyforming one of the four corner elements which, together with fourtubular bars, form the intermediate frame supporting the two panes ofglass. Thickness of said body is substantially equal to the widthbetween said bars.

Connection between said bars and said corner elements is made by meansof tabs at 90° that project at the two ends of each corner element.

The shape and size of said tabs correspond to those of the tubular barsso that said tabs can be pressed into the ends of the bars.

The frame so constructed is of constant thickness to permit formation ofthe sealed chamber between the two panes of glass, one on each side ofthe frame.

Structure is stable and is sealed by glue and the like.

The face of the body of the external mechanism fits up against theglass, said face being substantially flat and parallel to the disccarrying the permanent magnets so as to permit association to said glassby a sheet of double-sided adhesive material or some other glueingmeans. The invention possesses evident advantages.

As the blind is worked from outside the sealed cavity between the panesby a magnetic connection through one of the panes and without either theframe or the glass having to be perforated to allow passage ofmechanisms, the problem of obtaining a sealed cavity is practicallysolved.

The original form of construction with inner and outer discs carryingpermanent magnets of double polarity in relation to a diameter and withcoaxial shafts, means reduced bulk, constructional simplicity and, atthe same time, high power of transmission.

The central rounded pins on the magnetic discs ensure maximum reciprocalforce of attraction while allowing complete liberty of movement andtherefore the highest possible efficiency of the magnetic connection.

The ratio of transmission, geared-up upstream of the magnetic connectionand geared-down downstream of said connection, prevents slippage amongcomponents of the connection while the blind is being worked.

But if a previously established mechanical torque is exceeded, themagnets permit a clutch-type slippage that prevents any damage beingdone to the mechanisms.

The cavity between panes with its frame of tubular bars and cornerelements of equal thickness, with an internal mechanisms inside a cornerelement and an external mechanism simply mounted on one of the glasspanes, provides a simple and rational structure, inexpensive butextremely practical in use.

Characteristics and purposes of the invention will be made still clearerby the following examples of its execution illustrated bydiagrammatically drawn figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 Venetian blind enclosed in a chamber between two panes of glass,operated by a cord, front view.

FIG. 2 The same as FIG. 1 but seen from the side.

FIG. 3 Detail of the mechanism, axial section.

FIG. 4 Exploded view showing details of the internal mechanism insidethe above chamber.

FIG. 5 Front view of the blind operated by a rod.

FIG. 6 The same as FIG. 5 seen from the side.

FIG. 7 Detail of the mechanism operated by a rod, axial section.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The venetian blind within sealed chamber between two panes of glass 10comprises a frame 11 formed of aluminium parts 20-23 of a substantiallyrectangular cross section, connected at the four corners by speciallymade elements. The main element 30 at the top on the right is box-shapedand comprises the mechanism for rotation of the shaft 26 that supportsand operates the slatted blind 12.

The tabs 35 and 36 project at 90° at the upper left and lower right handcorners and can be pushed inside the aluminium bars 20 and 21 with amoderate amount of effort. At the lower left hand corner is a tooth 45and this, with the tab 35 creates a seat for one end of the box-shapedhead 25 of the blind 12.

At the upper left hand corner of the frame 11 is a connecting part 31comprising an oblong body 47.

At the upper end of said body is a tab 37 at 90° and at the lower end analigned tab 38.

Said tabs are similar to the tabs 35 and 36 already described and can befitted into the rectangular bars 20,23. Close to said tab 38 is a tooth46 projecting orthogonally to the body 47, said tooth being opposed tothe tooth 45 on the main element 30 forming, with the tab 37, a seat forthe other end of the box-shaped head 25.

At the lower end of the frame the corner pieces 32,33, with pairs oftabs 39,40 and 41,42 similar to tabs 35-38 already described, makepossible association of the fourth bar 22 to complete the frame 11.

To this frame the glass panes 13, 14 are applied,with adhesives oradhesive strips,forming the sealed chamber 15 that contains within itthe slatted blind 12 and the box in which it is stowed with the shaft26, ties 16 and whatever else is needed to work it.

The main element 30 comprises the body 50 and the mechanism shown inFIGS. 3 and 4.

This mechanism is essentially formed of a small shaft 51 on which aremounted the gears 52,53 of the rotor 55 with coupling 56 and four pins57 parallel to the axis, set at equal radial and angular distances inrelation to said axis. On said pins four equal pinions 60 turn freelythat mesh simultaneously with the gear 53 and the crown gear 58 insidesaid body 50.

After mounting, the bearings 65, 66 respectively settle into the seats61, 62 of the body 50 and rotor 55 respectively, creating the supportfor the small shaft 51 which can then turn freely on said bearings.

This mechanism also comprises the shaft 70 which in turn comprises aworm screw 71 and discord plate 72 with rounded pin 73. After mounting,the bearing 75 settles into the seat 63 25 in the body 50 forming asupport for the shaft 70. The worm screw 71 meshes orthogonally with thegear 52. On the discoid plate 72 is mounted the permanent discoid magnet76 of double polarity in relation to a diameter. When the glass panes 13and 14 are glued on, the rounded pin 73 makes contact with the glasspane 13 (FIG.3). Clearly, therefore, causing the magnet 76 to rotate andso too the discord plate 72, by means of the screw 71 the shaft 51 iscaused to rotate geared down to match the number of teeth on the gear52.

Said shaft in turn determines rotation of the axial rotor 55 withfurther gearing-down in the ratio between the number of teeth of thegear 53 and of the crown gear 58, respectively, on the body 50.

Since the whole element 30 including its mechanism remains `enclosed`inside the sealed chamber 15, rotation of the magnet 76 is determinedthrough the glass 13 by means of the device 80.

Said device 80 comprises the body 81 with cap 82 that permits freerotation of the shaft 83.

On the front of said shaft is fitted the discoid plate 85 and, in thecentre, the gear 87. At the rear, on this shaft, pulley 88 turns freelypulled by the continuous cord 90. Said pulley supports four pins 91 atequal radial and angular distances from the axis of the shaft 83 onwhich can freely turn four equal pinions 92 contemporaneously meshingwith the gear 87 and with the crown gear 89 inside the body 81.

The permanent discoid magnet 86, of double polarity in relation to adiameter, is placed on the plate 85, said magnet being substantially thesame as the magnet 76.

The body 81 is firmly held to the glass pane 13 by the double-adhesiveband 93 around the seat 94 in said body 81 in which the plate 85 islodged so that the magnet 86 is placed opposite to the magnet 76 on theplate 72, regulation being determined by contact of the rounded pin 88on the shaft 83, and of the rounded pin 73 on the shaft 70, on the twosides of the pane of glass 13.

It is thus clear that by pulling the cord 90 the magnet 86 will rotategeared-up in accordance with the ratio between the number of teeth onthe crown gear 89 and those on the gear 87.

Through the glass pane 13, said magnet 86, rotating, pulls along themagnet 76 and therefore the plate 72, and, through the mechanism in theelement 30, the coupling 56 as well. As the shaft 26, supporting andworking the slatted blind, is fixed to said coupling 56, by pulling thecord 90 the blind inside the sealed chamber 15 is operated through theglass pane 13.

Gearing-up, determined by the device 80, makes rapid operation possibleby means of the cord.

At the same time gearing-down, determined by the mechanism in element30, permits the magnet 76 to be drawn along by the magnet 86 withoutrisk of creating a torque reaction greater than the reciprocal force ofattraction of said magnets.

In place of the cord an electric motor can of course be fitted, with orwithout remote control.

Alternatively a rod 110 can be used as shown in FIGS. 5-7. The device 80already described is replaced by another device 100 that comprises abody 101 and cap 102 freely supporting the shaft 105 with front plate106.

Said shaft carries the bevel gear 107 that pairs with the gear 108 fixedto the pin 109.

The magnet 86 is mounted on said plate 106.

The pin 109 is fixed to the operating rod 110 with a handle 111 by meansof the eyelets 112 and 113.

As speed of rotation conferred manually on the rod is generally lowerthan that which can be conferred by the cord 90 or by an electric motor,and as there is no gearing-up between the pin 109 and the shaft 105, themechanism described in FIG. 4 is modified and the coupling 56 issubstantially fixed to the shaft 51.

I claim:
 1. A pane device with venetian blinds, comprising two panes ofglass forming a sealed chamber; a blind arranged within said sealedchamber; a horizontal shaft for supporting and operating said blind; aninternal mechanism provided for rotating said shaft; and an externalmechanism operating outside said sealed chamber, said mechanisms havingmagnetic connection means with lines of forces passing through one ofsaid panes of glass, said internal mechanism has a body and agearing-down unit including a rotor placed in said body and carryingsatellite pinions meshing with a fixed crown gear coaxial with saidrotor and with circumferential teeth of a coaxial shaft, so that arotation impressed on said coaxial shaft is transmitted to said rotor ata divisor ratio corresponding to a ratio between said teeth of saidshaft and said crown gear, said rotor being connected with saidhorizontal shaft for supporting and operating said blind.
 2. A pane asdefined in claim 1; and further comprising an intermediate frame forsupporting said panes.
 3. A pane as defined in claim 1, wherein saidmagnetic connection means include a first shaft of said internalmechanism provided with a disk with permanent magnets located at adistance from an inner face of said one pane; and a second shaft of saidexternal mechanism provided with a second disk with permanent magnetslocated at a distance from an outer face of said one glass, said shaftsbeing coaxial with one another.
 4. A pane as defined in claim 3, whereinsaid permanent magnets of said first shaft and said permanent magnets ofsaid second shaft have different polarities.
 5. A pane as defined inclaim 3, wherein said disks have centers and are provided in saidcenters with rounded pins which make contact with a surface of said onepane.
 6. A pane as defined in claim 3; and further comprisingtransmission means for transmitting a movement from said first shaft ofsaid internal mechanism to said horizontal shaft which supports andoperates said blind, said transmission means being formed to transmit amovement at 90° and including a worm screw fixed to said first shaft anda worm gear fixed to said horizontal shaft.
 7. A pane as defined inclaim 3, wherein said external mechanism has a body with a facematchable with said one pane, said face being substantially flat andparallel to said first disk mounted on said first shaft.
 8. A panedevice with venetian blinds, comprising two panes of glass forming asealed chamber; a blind arranged within said sealed chamber; ahorizontal shaft for supporting and operating said blind; an internalmechanism provided for rotating said shaft; and an external mechanismoperating outside said sealed chamber, said mechanisms having magneticconnection means with lines of forces passing through one of said panesof glass, said magnetic connection means including a first shaft of saidinternal mechanism provided with a first disk with permanent magnetslocated at a distance from an inner face of said one pane; and a secondshaft of said external mechanism provided with a second disk withpermanent magnets located at a distance from an outer face of said oneglass, said shafts being coaxial with one another, said externalmechanism having a body and a gearing-up unit including a rotor placedin said body and carrying satellite pinions meshing with a fixed crowgear coaxial with said rotor and with circumferential teeth of saidsecond shaft, so that a rotation impressed on said rotor is transmittedto said second shaft at a geared-up ratio corresponding to a ratiobetween said teeth of said crown gear and said second shaft; and furthercomprising means for operating said blind and connected with said rotor.9. A pane as defined in claim 8, wherein said means for operating saidblind includes a continuous cord with one end passing around a pulleyformed in said body of said rotor of said external mechanism.
 10. A panedevice with venetian blinds, comprising two panes of glass forming asealed chamber; a blind arranged within said sealed chamber; ahorizontal shaft for supporting and operating said blind; an internalmechanism provided for rotating said shaft; and an external mechanismoperating outside said sealed chamber, said mechanisms having magneticconnection means with lines of forces passing through one of said panesof glass, said magnetic connection means including a first shaft of saidinternal mechanism provided with a first disk with permanent magnetslocated at a distance from an inner face of said one pane; and a secondshaft of said external mechanism provided with a second disk withpermanent magnets located at a distance from an outer face of said oneglass, said shafts being coaxial with one another, said externalmechanism having a body, a vertical shaft supported by said body and abevel gear pair connecting said vertical shaft with said second shaft;and further comprising means for operating said blind and including arod fixed at a top by a joint to said vertical shaft.
 11. A pane devicewith venetian blinds, comprising two panes of glass forming a sealedchamber; a blind arranged within said sealed chamber; a horizontal shaftfor supporting and operating said blind; an internal mechanism providedfor rotating said shaft; and an external mechanism operating outsidesaid sealed chamber, said mechanisms having magnetic connection meanswith lines of forces passing through one of said panes of glass; anintermediate frame for supporting said panes; and a substantially flatbody forming one of four corner elements which together with fourtubular bars form said intermediate frame, said internal mechanism beinglocated inside said substantially flat body, said body having athickness which is substantially equal to a width of the other threecorner elements and to a width of said tubular bars.
 12. A pane asdefined in claim 11; and further comprising means for connecting saidbars and said corner elements, said connecting means including pairs oftabs at 90° projecting at two ends of each of said corner elements, saidtabs having a shape and a size corresponding to internal dimensions ofsaid bar, so that said frame can be put together by fitting said tabsinto ends of said bars, said frame having a thickness selected so as tobe constant and to permit creation of said chamber between said twopanes of glass, said two panes of glass being placed one on each side ofsaid frame.